 Trinidad & Tobago : Formalities
Yachts entering Trinidad territorial waters should call coastguard control on Channel 16 to advise of the yacht's arrival and to give an ETA.
It is advisable that this arrival be within normal office hours (0800-1200, 1300-1600 Mon-Fri, except public holidays) or the yacht will be "fined". At present (2007) this appears to be US$30. It has been reported that this "fine" is also applied even if crossing into the country's territorial waters outside of working hours.
This procedure also applies when complying with the requirement to check in/out when moving between Trinidad and Tobago otherwise another "fine" will be imposed.
Arriving yachts should clear at either Chaguaramas in Trinidad or Scarborough or Charlotteville in Tobago. Port of Spain is a commercial port, and yachts may only stop there in real emergencies. Chaguaramas has an office dedicated to clearance formalities.
Once a vessel has entered territorial waters, the captain must proceed to Immigration regardless of time of day or night.
Yachts sailing from Trinidad to Tobago must get the "Arrival Form" endorsed by the Customs officer in Chaguaramas. This form must be presented to Customs on arrival at Scarborough or Charlotteville. The same procedure is necessary for the reverse voyage.
With permission from the Customs officer in Trinidad you can anchor elsewhere in Tobago, such as Store Bay, and go overland to Scarborough to complete the necessary formalities.
Outward clearance: Yachts must clear out of one of the two recommended ports. Yachts clear out with Customs, Immigration and Port Authority.
If departing for Grenada, it is now possible to file a passage plan with the coastguard. See report here for further details.
Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the indented stay (3 months for citizens of USA, EU and the British Commonwealth).
Visas are not required by citizens of the United States, Caricom (except Haiti), European Union and British Commonwealth with the exception of the following countries:-
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Cameroon, India, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Uganda for visits of up to 90 days.
Visas may be extended for another three months. One week prior to expiration a further extension may be requested upon payment of an extension fee.
Immigration will charge overtime outside of the normal working hours, which are 0800-1200, 1300-1600 Monday to Friday.
Crew departing Trinidad and Tobago by air must be signed off the vessel and signed on again when returning. The procedure requires a letter prepared by the marina or boatyard, which must be approved by the immigration officer. This approval allows for proper paperwork at the airport (or other port of exit) and an exclusion of the airport tax if executed within 24 hours of departure. This letter must be in the hands of the crew prior to departure to enable embarkation without a return ticket. This same letter will be used as authorisation for re-entry into Trinidad to rejoin the vessel. When the crew returns to Trinidad and Tobago, the master must present the crew's passport to the immigration officer at the Chaguaramas station within 24 hours to sign the crew back on the vessel.
Immigration requires a Medical Certificate for persons who wish to remain in
Trinidad & Tobago for periods exceeding one year. Declaration by applicant must be made in the precence of the Examining Medical Officer.
Last updated November 2009.
Immigration Office
http://immigration.gov.tt/applicationloader.asp?app=articles&id=694
Visa applications and visa waiver forms can be downloaded from this website.
Firearms
Firearms and ammunition must be declared on arrival and will be taken by the customs boarding officer and placed in custody at the central police station.
Requests for their return prior to departure must be made to customs at least 48 hours before clearance; failure to do so may result in a delay to departure or departure without the firearms. To keep firearms in your possession during the stay, it is necessary to apply to the Commissioner of Police for a licence.
Fruit & Vegetables
Fruits, plants and plant material must be inspected by a plant quarantine officer before being landed.
Temporary Importation of Yachts
Yachts are admitted duty-free for a reasonable period of time. Boats stored for longer terms must be left in the care of an approved yard. Some formalities must be completed at customs, including a full inventory of items on board.
If a yacht is left unattended, it will be necessary to complete formalities for temporary importation. This is normally carried out through Chaguaramas customs station.
Importing Yacht Parts
Parts for yachts in transit may be imported free of duty by following the recommended procedure by customs. This may or may not be allowed, depending on the officer in charge at the time.
Only the captain of the vessel is allowed to carry duty free parts from the airport to Chaguaramas customs station, where they will be transferred on board.
Parts arriving by courier will be delivered to Chaguaramas customs station. Parcels arriving via the postal service will come to the Carenage Post Office, which will notify the yacht, after which the parcel will be cleared at the Ajax Street post office in Port of Spain.
Last updated February 2009.
A yellow fever inoculation certificate is needed if coming from an infected area in South America.
An actual cruising permit is not required; however, on arrival the captain must notify the authorities of the vessel's intended itinerary to cruise around the islands and permission must be obtained before sailing. Permission must be obtained from customs for any movement of the yacht, from one port or place to another, and to cruise the coast of either Trinidad or Tobago.
Visa and visa waiver fee is $TT400/person.(2009)
After completion of immigration formalities on arrival, the customs officer will collect $TT50 for the first 30 days of navigation dues. The balance of these dues will be collected when the boat clears out.
Harbour fees are TT$50 for every 30 days in Trinidad up to a maximum TT$500 in any one year.
Overtime is charged outside of working hours on weekdays and all day Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Customs charge overtime as
follows: Examination of imported goods: TT$ 91.20. Arrival boarding: TT$ 136.79. Departure clearance: TT$117.26. Immigration overtime is TT$100.
Departure tax per person: TT$100.
The tanker ports at Point Fortin and Pointe-à-Pierre, and the cargo port of Point Lisas, are prohibited to yachts.
Trinidad requires cooking gas tanks to be tested every 5 years. If your tank does not meet this requirement you will be required to have it done.
Pets entering must be declared to Customs on entry.
No animal is allowed ashore unless a permit is obtained from the Veterinary Services Division. It is essential to have an Importation License which must be applied for three months prior to travel. In addition necessary arrangements must be made 24 hours before arrival in order for the dog or cat to be inspected on arrival.
Dogs and cats entering from the US must undergo six months quarantine at the Quarantine Station but this time can be reduced to 30 days if
(1) Dogs have appropriate microchip
(2) Dogs or cats have been vaccinated against Rabies within six months but not more than a year before planned travel.
(3) pets have a rabies blood test one month after vaccination
For more information contact Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resourses, St Clair Circle, St Clair - Tel:
(868) 622 1221, Fax: (868) 622 4240, Email aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt.
For copy of importation form and further information visit www.agriculture.gov.tt
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